Logs:Iron Chef
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| RL Date: 27 March, 2015 |
| Who: Alida, Azaylia, Edyis, Jastor, K'del, Keysi, L'sha, Schuyler, Sparrow, Tara, X'vae, Z'riah |
| Involves: High Reaches Weyr |
| Type: Log |
| What: An epic cooking competition takes place |
| Where: Living Cavern, HRW |
| When: Day 15, Month 5, Turn 37 (Interval 10) |
| Weather: A layer of gray clouds covers the sky. The air feels cool and damp, but there is no rainfall today. |
| Mentions: K'zin/Mentions |
| OOC Notes: A HUGE thanks to everyone who participated! |
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| The Living Caverns have been rearranged for the days festivities. At the entrance of the caverns, a sign in table is being manned by two auvnties, each directing their own line. One line is labeled "Judges" while the other is labeled "Contestants". When they sign in, the judges are given a pouch with small pebbles in it, while the contestants are given a cup with a number to place next to each of their dishes. A list of rules is posted behind the table. Bake-Off Contest Rules Rules: -Anyone may enter the contest regardless of experience. -Anyone may judge the contest regardless of experience. -No entry may contain flour. -Contestants may enter up to two items for each category. -Judges must try ALL items in a category to be able to vote in that category (come hungry!). -Judges may vote for two items per category. -The goal is to come up with recipes that can be added to the daily rotation: the more common the ingredients, the better. Judges may judge on their personal taste preferences, but should give precedence to entries that use common and easily found ingredients when possible. EAT. DRINK. ENJOY. To the side of the sign in tables, where the buffet is usually lined up, the contestants are being directed to place their dishes in numbered slots corresponding to their cup numbers. It has been divided into three categories: Entrees, Desserts and Appetizers/Sides. There are a number of warming dishes available to the contestants for their use should they be needed. At the far end of the buffet are five bottles of wine (Two appear to be Benden's) and a number of closed boxes which seem to have no explanation at the moment. A number of the large tables in the center of the room have been moved around to make two semi-circles, an entrance to the center of the circle is at each end and the individual tables have been created as stations for each competitor. Each station appears identical with an assortment of knives, bowls, spoons and other utensils they may need for the competition as well as a collection of spices and basic ingredients. Each station also has a box with the contents currently unknown. Dotted around the room are smaller tables with snacks, munchies and drinks for everyone else to enjoy while the contest is going on. It's lighter fare than dinner usually is but it's enough to tide people over until the contest is done when all the entries will be available for everyone else to try. Sky is already working the crowd as people begin to trickle in. A number of contestants have already placed their dishes on the tables and he passes by them with intense curiosity. With a glass of wine in one hand, he goes to check in with the Aunties and to look over the number of entries and judges. A smile crosses his lips as he nods approval at the growing list. She's punctual, as per usual, and as soon as she finds the Judges queue, Alida...nabs herself a nice, big goblet of something decent to down her upcoming bites with. The bluerider's then off to her line to await what will inevitably come, her tummy rumbling and squeaking its eagerness to be filled with the (hopefully) good foodstuffs to come. As others filter or hurry in, the pale-blonde lets her green eyes rove around, take note of people and places, things. Not much of a baker - and probably too afraid of accidentally poisoning people to even try - K'del has signed himself up as a judge, accepting his pouch with a cheerful enough grin before meandering further into the caverns. Less certain, after that, he hovers about the edges of the room, hands dug into the pockets of his trousers as he watches proceedings. No rider at all, just a senior apprentice... admittedly, an apprentice who may be moving on to bigger and better things. Sparrow's here to cook, and has even pulled a crisp white apron over her dress. She's not wearing her best -- much as she'd like to impress, she'd also rather not explain to her mother that she'd like her to wash food stains out of fine soft wool. Her hair, always wild, has been wrapped in a cloth that has itself been wrapped tightly around her head to keep everything situated. Evidently she's taking things seriously. Edyis lurks near the back, laughing with a tangle of other candidates and watching the judges settle in. X'vae must be here just to eat because it's the snacks on the tables that has drawn his first focus after entering the cavern from the bowl and shucking off his Monocoan-styled flight jacket. Only once he has a plate of snacks will he take in the rest of the set up. There are winners and then there are winners, if you know what I mean. One of the contestants is the strapping youth Jastor, who works around the Weyr as a handyman, but now boasts that he can create appetizers to turn heads, main courses to set your taste buds on fire, and desserts to, well, let's hope you're sitting down. As the festivities get underway, he's to be found with arms folded over his chest, looming - all six feet and two-hundred-ish pounds of him - over his appointed table, wearing a days worth of scruff and a smirk. He knows he's got this in the bag, and that half apron he's got tied around his waist with the ruff proves it. Schuyler grins when he spots both Alida and K'del sign in as judges and he claps his hands together gleefully. Spotting Sparrow in her apron a smile is tossed in her direction too. "if you are doing the bake-off you can put your dishes on the table over there, and the Iron Chef competition will get underway shortly" he smiles to her, indicating there are actually two competitions. He makes his way over to Alida and K'del. "Thanks for volunteering to be guinea pigs." he chuckles. "Feel free to start tasting things as they come in. Most things taste best hot." He points off to the tables where each of the categories have a number of entries already layed out. "Makes sense," says K'del, answering Schuyler with a smile, even if he's semi-deliberately focusing his attention away from Alida, as if to emphasise that he is not socialising with the bluerider. "Guess I'll go take a look. Really, though-- seems like you've done a good job on all of this. Nice to see people rise to the challenge, Apprentice." His nod is approving. The bounciness that Schuyler emotes is reason for Alida to crack a bit of a smirky-grin at him, the bluie bobbing her head to his thanks while studiously avoiding looking at her Weyrleader not far away. Feeling's mutual, apparently. His words have her grin shifting to a flat-featured sort of expression. "Will do..." the woman clips off to the Apprentice, soon moving to find the nearest likely hot dish she can find. Among the things gracing the Entree Table are a few with names such as: "Spicy ground wherry meat wrapped in mashed seasoned tubers, baked to a golden crust" "Seared Yellowtail on a bed of citrus infused river grains (rice)" and a few...without such as the mystery stew that is bubbling towards the front of the line and a pie of sorts that at least looks edible, but it's contents remain unknown. "Thanks -- thank you," Sparrow replies, flashing a quick smile to Schuyler and nodding once. "I decided on the Iron Chef rather than the baking, if that's all right." Though the knot on her shoulder says she's a Harper, which suggests... well, she might have researched some recipes, but that hardly makes her a great chef. She heads to the Iron Chef area, though, hands behind her back, and nods a little greeting to Jastor. Evidently he thinks he's going to win this. She's just looking over the dishes laid out before them, biting her lips and doing some mental calculations. The table with the sides and appetizers varies wildly from one dish to another. While some look downright drool-worthy like the "Salad of Mixed Greens with candied nuts and goat cheese with a berry vinaigrette dressing" and a few different types of bread-like substitutes such as corn bread and "Flax-seed and Nut rolls served warm with butter". There are also a number of simple sides such as "Mashed Tubers" and "Roasted Mixed Vegetables". "That looks good," X'vae comments as he arrives near Sparrow, though it's unclear which of the dishes he means. The man flashes a smile to the candidate. "Are you competing?" He queries curiously. Smirky, gonna-win Jastor gives the short girl who joins him in the Iron Chef Arena a desultory scrutiny and a grunt. "Might's well give up, girl," he goads in a rough, brassy voice. He's going to win, obviously! He might flex his arm on purpose, or it could be a reflex, when he unfolds and refolds them. "Go. Get on home. Ya ain't made for cookin'. Too fancy with yer knot and what." K'del, having made his comments to Schuyler, makes his easy way towards the tables, navigating his way through the dishes on offer with a rather more serious expression: this is important business! Z'riah arrives, but there are no lines for him. He wanders past with every intention of finding snacks and maybe a drink and watching the competition unfold before him. Being entertained, that's what the greenrider is all about. L'sha is drawn into the living cavern by the sound of a commotion. He heads toward the edge of the crowd, watching the proceedings for now. Seems like some sort of cooking competition? Schuyler grins as he leaves the judges to taste from the tables. He stops by one of the snack stations to grab something to nibble on so that he's not starving while he competes and turns to survey the group. When he overhears Jastor though he veers in that direction. "Hey now, anyone of any level can compete. That's the whole point. Everyone is welcome." he grins at Sparrow and even back at Jastor. "It's all for fun. Even if there are prizes for the winner." he winks and veers back to the sign in table. Sparrow gives Jastor a cool, sidelong look. She's standing quite sweet and primly, hands clasped in front of her, shoulders back, posture as good as her mother always taught her. When he finishes talking, she just lifts her shoulders. "We'll see," she says. To X'vae, she's at least a little warmer: "I am," she replies, and she gives him at least a bit of a smile. "I have a few ideas. And at least one thing I'm hoping to see. Will you be competing, too?" Alida partakes of her first dish with enforced self-restraint, trying to shut up her stomach as it yowls out stacatto creaks and tremolo groans, the blonde looking as if she's tasting heaven, though the dish is supposedly 'common,' as the contest requires. Wherever K'del is *not* is where she frequents, the bluie taking her sweet time in tasting, her comments to the various 'chefs' comprised mostly of low sounds, and the occasional word or two. If the Weyrleader is being serious, she's looking pretty relaxed and casual. Though the bulk of her attention is given to the 'task' at hand, no doubt the 'former' Guard is keeping her senses tuned in to other things about her. "Do you learn those manners from your mother?" X'vae asks the gonna-win guy mildly. It's a rebuke, but perhaps not a defense of Sparrow since she seems to be handling herself well enough without him. "I'm afraid the only cooking I can do involves a campfire. This kind of stuff is beyond me," X'vae answers Sparrow with a gesture. "I take it your ideas are all closely guarded secrets until the time comes?" Finally at the dessert table, which of course seems to be drawing all manner of attention, there are quite a few sweet treats from candied nuts to sugar drops to a "Flourless Klah and Rum infused Cake" and "Poached Redfruit and Berries over burnt-cream custard". All Jastor, of the winning tribe, has for the bluerider and his new adversary is another grunt, and a sound like he's about to hock a loogie, but he swallows it down; like he swallows his pride. Sparrow doesn't seem to take X'vae's comment as some unwanted fellow swooping in to defend her, or at least she doesn't take any loud or obvious offense. To the bluerider, instead, she actually lets out a little chuckle. "All my ideas? Maybe not. But I'm really hoping for some kind of fowl. And that they have enough lemons around. ...And that the judges like lemons as much as I do." L'sha finds a glass of red wine and mingles in the crowd, pausing at the various tables around the cavern to sample the food at each. He watches the three in the center casually, already knowing who he's rooting for. Finally, he tries to infiltrate the dense crowd around the dessert table. Hmmm. As for arriving hungry-- the Weyrwoman doesn't need to be told twice. Her vaguely infamous appetite is being put to use, and it doesn't take long before her judgely duties are fulfilled. It may have been with an embarrassing speed, in fact, when drops the last pebble into the cup. Azaylia may even swipe one of the non-competitive food, nibbling as she nurses a glass of sweet wine, drifting through with warm greetings and playful hints about her preferred dishes. It's that unhurried, searching shuffle of someone looking to mingle. "Lemons," The bluerider answers Sparrow thoughtfully. "I've done lemons with fish, but not fowl. If you do it and there's enough to spare, I'll be sure to try. "I'm X'vae, by the way. Or Xev." He offers her his hand. At this special time, Alida isn't one to sample courses in their 'proper' order. Instead, the casually-garbed woman glides between desserts, sides, and entrees as fluidly as her own steps to various tables. As she passes by Jastor, she catches his gross sound and makes a face, put off from sampling her food for a couple of moments until she recovers. Ewww. X'vae and the unknown Sparrow get polite nods. Every dish is sampled irregardless of origin or look/scent, and - so far - Alida seems to find them at least interesting and palatable, if not utterly delicious, from the look on her face...which tries not to chuckle as she catches sight of Azaylia's 'food demon' being uncaged. "Oh, lemons are wonderful with fish," Sparrow agrees, "and I think I saw an orange-seasoned fish somewhere over there, which sounds delicious. What's really good is lemon and fish and these little tiny pasta things, I think they're made with rice meal, but they soak up the flavor and the texture..." She breaks off, a wry smile reaching her face. "I should be better with words, being a Harper. But the flaky fish and the soft chewy pasta somehow go together perfectly, and the lemon carries it over. We had a lemon tree, my family did. Does, I imagine still. And this is the right season for them." With a handful of various goodies, after a casual walk through the caverns, Z'riah makes his way back out into the bowl. It's only coincidence, surely, that he's following a pretty blonde who glances back on occasion to give him flirty eyes. He can't say no to that! Keysi arrives from the inner caverns, late as always but present. The healer surveys the assembled competition groups and the taste-testers, lingering on the former in the direction of the 'Iron Chef.' There's a long hesitation as she deliberates on actually going through with her thoughts on competing, and uses that time to slowly traverse the tables already lined with foods. She's picky in sampling- terrible as a judge indeed- and takes a few pieces to savor before separating herself from the pre-feast to wander amidst the crowd. With the event finally fully underway, Sky makes his way to the center of the room. "If I could please have everyone's attention!" his voice carries and fills the space surprisingly well. "First of all, Id like to thank everyone for coming and offer a special thanks to those who have donated door prizes. If everyone would please take a quick seat I'd like to get things started." he pauses allowing folks to settle into the chairs. "In the center here we will begin our Iron Chef competition. In just a moment we will have the contestants each take a station. The closed box contains the protein you will use to create a unique dish. You will have one hour. After that the judges will taste each dish and announce a winner." he grins a bit. "And just in case you were worried, only Tara, our wonderful senior kitchen director, knows what is in that box." She waves from the side of the room. "One last thing before we start, if everyone would please check the underside of your chair for a number...we will announce the winner of the first door prize." He gestures to another kitchen helper and she brings one of the boxes from the buffet table forward. "Would the person in seat number..." he opens the box, "Twleve. Please come claim your prize!" Settling in her seat, Sparrow reaches down under her seat and pulls out the number from below her seat. Seven. Oh, well! If she's going to get any prizes today, she'll have to earn them. Finishing her tasting and voting of the cook-off part of the competition, Alida moves to her seat with a last helping of the brulee, eating with one hand while she nabs the number on the underside of her chair seat *and* balances her dessert upon her lap. Green eyes take note of 'her' number, and then look up and around to other people. Surely, Azaylia isn't making a face at Alida? Well, she certainly sees that amusement from across the way and wrinkles her nose at the bluerider in a playful display. It's her fault, then, she bumps into poor Keysi, "OhI'msorry." A squeak of sorts, her mumbles of apology drowned out by Sky's instructions. Eyes flicking to the apprentice baker, the Weyrwoman is quick to settle with the crowd. A flick of the wrist she plucks up her number and gives a soft laugh at not being 'it'. Ah well. "Good luck," is given as parting wishes for Sparrow before X'vae is sliding into his chair, only to rise again as though something might've bitten him. But no, it's just that the number beneath happens to be the lucky one and he's heading up with a bemused look to meet Sky. Drawn by Sky's announcement, Keys' stern eyes are paying little attention to those immediately around her, especially as she shifts directions with intent to grab a chair. All very much helps in adding to the collision with the weyrwoman. And the dramatic loss of the cake-like morsal she'd just picked up that shortly ends up on the floor between them. "Ah, sor-" The candidate utters before looking up and realizing who exactly that was as Azaylia moves off to grab her number. The ever-serious young woman follows suit, claiming a chair nearby to pilfer its hidden number. 14. Not it either. L'sha pouts as he finds that it wasn't his number that was called, but applauds as X'vae goes up to claim his prize. Schuyler beams at X'vae as he heads up. "The first prize of the night is compliments of Alida. You've won a beginning Runner-beast Riding Lesson!" he grins again and offers a wave to Alida to acknowledge the donation. "Alright everyone, time for the main event! If you are participating in the Iron Chef competition please make your way to the center of the tables and choose a station. (Don't worry, they are all the same!) Also, hang on to your number, we still have three more door prizes throughout the evening." he makes his way to the center of the room now, snagging one of the stations himself. The Weyrwoman got a friendly smirk-grin from Alida when she nose-wrinkled at the bluerider, the blonde woman now trying not to openly laugh at the collision between Keysi and Azaylia...and succeeding. And then her offered door prize is called out - with X'vae as the recipient - and the woman breathes a small sigh of relief. It wasn't K'del. Finishing up her brulee, the bluie heeds Sky's call for the Iron Chef competition, soon rising to make her way over to the other seating, and finding the best vantage from which to both observe *and* protect herself. Habit, naturally. "Oh good," Azaylia is able to sigh her relief as she recognizes Keysi, or rather, her hit and run victim. "I can give you a proper apology." As if the last one wasn't, for some reason. "I'm sorry about your cake. It looked good." As per Sky's instructions, she tucks the number into her modestly cut neckline, holding onto it. The prize itself has her giving a soft laugh, "I probably would've given that to someone who didn't already know how to ride a runner." The comment is tossed into the air, but more toward Keysi's way since she hasn't completely cut the tether of conversation. "Blah blah blah," Jastor mutters under his breath, but he's quick on the draw. He steps up to one of the available stations and sets his big man-hands on the counter, his dark eyes flitting to Schuyler. He's waiting patiently, tolerantly, with anticipation of winning. Tucking her number into her sleeve, Sparrow pauses to applaud for X'vae and his excellent luck. She stands then, brushing off her skirt and striding over to the cooking stations. Choosing one at more or less random -- it just happens to be on the opposite side of Jastor, purely by random happenstance -- she settles in, running her hands lightly over the cool countertop. Tara takes control of the event for a moment and steps to the center of the circle. "Contestants! You will have one hour to make the best dish you can with the ingredients you have at the tables. You may use the kitchens for your cooking once you have done your prep out here. Each station has a number and is paired with a number in the main kitchen to avoid any arguments." there might be a look to Jastor at that comment. "When I say go, you may open the box at your station to reveal your main ingredient." she looks around waiting to see if anyone has any questions. "Before we start, one more door prize. Number five! You have won a sports lesson of your choice, provided by X'vae." Schuyler grins. "Thanks to X'vae!" he adds to the speech. Tara smiles and waves. "Ok! Everyone, Begin!" When the boxes are opened, the main ingredient is revealed as: Tunnel Snake. X'vae's answer to the prize is a lift of his brows, though his expression doesn't get all the way to surprised. He finds Alida briefly with his eyes and then moves back to his seat, only to hear his name used in reference to that which he volunteered. He's still only half in his seat, looking around to find number five. Keysi shakes her head slightly as she pockets the slip with her number on it. Just in case that single number is hard to remember later. Just in case. "Not necessary ma'am." She doesn't admit her guilt, though it seems to be implied. "I'm not a great fan of cakes with fruit in them, so you might have saved me an experience." There's humor intended there, just without a tone to make it obvious. "I didn't expect there to be prizes like those." She adds after the second prize is announced. Sports lesson, eh? "Did you put anything in for winning?" Is inquired of the weyrwoman as she leans against her seat rather than sitting in it. It's safer for everyone if she stays over here and doesn't cook. "Mm, I like it when the fruit is mixed with a cream? Makes the cake all soggy." Azaylia adds, only to perk up, "Oh! That would've been a good recipe for the competition." Or so she thinks with a bright smile. "I meant to, but I think the reminder I wrote myself got lost in paperwo-- oh!" Another squeak, much happier, as she pulls the number from her top to double-check. 5. "Excuse me." The Weyrwoman stands and wiggles her fingers to claim her prize, smiling at Sky before looking to catch X'vae's eyes. She's trying not to grin too widely as she nears, "Sports?" Alida returns X'vae's look with some small amusement of her own, pale brows arching up some as she lifts her shoulders a little, the woman then turning her attention upon whoever won X'vae's offered prize of a sports lesson. Who's five? Ah! Azaylia! Called out lightly to the Weyrwoman is the bluerider's alto, "Tackle football!" Not a five either, but Sparrow isn't paying too much attention to the numbers. She's here to cook! To cook... Tunnel Snake. There's just the briefest look of dismay, but it turns quickly into determination. She snags the largest piece and leans down, eyes flitting over the grain of the meat, the color of it, skimming fingers over it for the texture. She even slices off a small bit and gives it a sniff. That, apparently, does it for her: she nods triumphantly and snags a sharp, thin knife, cutting the piece of meat into long thin strips. Vegetables come next -- she goes for spinach, and then... fruit? Lemons. Lemons and lemons. Three lemons total, which she carries halfway back before turning around and snagging another for four. These, then another bit of hunting before she finds a jar of stock and another of rice, and she's almost bouncing with glee. Schuyler lifts open his box and peers inside. "Well, I suppose the point is finding something that we won't run out of." he comments with a smirk as he reveals his tunnelsnake meat. He too examines the snake but is already thinking ahead it seems as a quick glance to his ingredients and he's grinning. He plucks a few things from the pile and starts filleting the tunnel snake. He might be humming off-key a bit while he works. He flips his box upside down so he can fill it with his (secret) ingredients and soon he's heading to the kitchen. "Pick your poison," X'vae addresses the Weyrwoman with a grin, rising instead of actually seating himself and moving to speak with her. "Surfing, rock-climbing, hiking, swimming," then, "I'm afraid I'm a little lost with sailing. But fishing, or camping probably count too." He leans a little closer to say, "I also have a kickball game in the bowl once a seven, and you could use your prize to get a spot on the team," as though it were a great secret and a great favor he was conferring, but only in good humor. His glance goes toward Alida with some degree of confusion. "I'm not sure tackle the bluerider is really a sport. Although Z'riah probably plays it so..." Who's he to know? A big manly man can handle tunnel snake! Jastor grunts when he sees their mystery ingredient, but he's quickly moving to get a plethora of vegetables. He sets about chopping them in a choppy, chunky way, without much precision: onions, bell peppers, tomatoes, some okra, and of course, that slimy tunnel snake gets a rough chop too. Rice follows. Then, he's throwing everything into a big towel and jogging his way to the kitchens; trying to elbow people out of the way as he goes. Is Alida the only person at the judge's table who doesn't make a face of horror or repulsion at the sight of tunnel snake being on the menu? Instead, the bluerider gets thoughtful as she tries to think of the various ways *she's* made tunnel snake meat over campfires. X'vae's light call not far down the table to herr has the female bluie grinning some before she notes, "Nah; tackle the Zay! Kinda' like Ilicaeth plays 'tackle the queen.' Hraedhyth. A head-shake is given to Z'riah's playing of the sport, the Guard perhaps oddly commenting, "Dun' like it, m'self. Not enough...grace innit'. Seems like a bunch uv' over-testosteronized boys smashin' heads 'n bodies fer possession uv' a silly-shaped ball." Shrug. The neutral expression of Keysi falters for a moment as she realizes what exactly is on those plates. It's something along the lines of a cringe perhaps, disapproval maybe. Or something. The comment on better fruit-laced deserts is overtaken by the winning ticket, and there's something exciting about an opportunity for sports. Keys finally seats herself, backwards on the chair so that her arms can be folded with her chin on them to watch the chef competition get a bit... physical as Jastor elbows his way into the kitchens. That's more like it. Sparrow's loading everything up into her box and sprinting quickly for the kitchen as well, but not before she grabs one of those bottles of wine. A white wine for this one, and she's hustling into the kitchen to oil and warm up a pan. The spinach, thank goodness, has been rinsed; nevertheless, she can't be too careful. She spends her time juicing two of the lemons and mincing some garlic, waiting until the oil in the pan is quite hot. When it is, the thin strips of tunnel snake (ugh) are added to cook quickly along with the garlic. And a little of that wine. "Is poison a sport?" Bad joke, someone take her glass of wine away. Still, Azaylia's eyes light up at the list, "Rock climbing. Now that sounds fun." Although she does look terribly tempted by that secret favor, biting her lip before she decides. Alida's suggestion earns her an amused side-eye, "I don't think it's meant to be that sort of prize." Tackling the Zay, and all. "I'll stand by rock climbing. Is that a sport? Is it a race?" The goldrider's never heard of it, not extensively. Murmurs of tunnelsnake have her turning in place, peeking at the tables with a mix of curiosity and concern. "I hope they remembered to cut off the heads." Just in case. Inside the kitchen, Sky has pot filled with a dark red concoction (there is clearly wine in there) which he stirs vigorously. The snake fillets are being seared on the top of the stove in another pan. He works smoothly, clearly at home in the kitchen. Though there is a friendly glance tossed at in the direction of the other competitors. The first words have X'vae's breath catching and the bluerider looking extremely unnerved for a half-second before his smile manages to find its way back to his lips. "One would hope not, ma'am. One would sincerely hope not." Quickly, he's moving onto the easier topics, "I know some great beginner climbs down south. Easier without the snow to start with. It's not often a race, for safety reasons, but it's a sport, to be sure. "We'll have to see the tanners about getting you fitted for a harness. I wonder if that apprentice that got Searched could do it at a discount. You know, candidate to Weyrwoman," there's more humor there, though he may not be entirely kidding. "Uv' course, we'd have to *catch* ya', first, Zay..." Alida smirks broadly over to the Weyrwoman, the bluie knowing well how agile and fast the goldrider is. Rock climbing as a sport is given a few nods of agreement, the woman chuckling low at X'vae's last to Azaylia, though she refrains from commenting. Hearty and filling is the game winner, or that's what Jastor thins anyway. He's been systemically cooking all of his ingredients one by one. First the onions and peppers, then the okra, then searing the tunnel snake. Finally, he covers several cups of water over the seared tunnel snake, throws in the rest of his cooked ingredients, and adds a mix of spices into the big pot. From there, he's free to smirk smugly at the other contestants, while his main dish boils away on the fire. Oh yeah, he's gonna win, guise! Should she have gone with this? Should she have tried the soup instead? But soup takes so long to cook. Well over an hour for the flavors to really meld. She's in her own world, and for a Harper, she actually seems to be quite skilled. The sauteed filets are quickly set aside, but the pan's not finished yet: there's something impressive happening over there with white wine and lemon juice. Perhaps a more spring-ish than wintery meal. A pot is filled with a measure of water and set on to boil, too, along with a half-measure of rice. All very simple and cheap ingredients -- except for the wine, of course. But surely she's not going to leave the spinach raw? Tara calls into the kitchens: "Thirty Minutes!" chuyler has a third pot on, though this one is covered. His eyes dart among his pots and up to Tara as he judges his time. Totally still good. His sauce in the pot is thickening and he adds a small amount of it over the searing snake fillets. Whatever it is he's making is fragrant. Though the lemon and white wine dish that the Harper is making has his attention. "That smells great!" he calls over to her. Thirty minutes. Plenty of time. She's doing really well! Enough time to even make the plates pretty. She looks up to Schuyler when he calls out, curious as to who he's speaking to -- "Oh, thank you! Yours looks so beautiful! Is that going to be a sauce?" She adds the stock in to her own pan, stirring rapidly to get the seared scraps of snake to dissolve in. Mmm, deglazing. Looking over at Jastor, she adds with actually a large measure of good humor: "That's a good idea! I've had a summer dish like that." The rice is stubbornly not boiling, meanwhile, so she turns up the heat and starts twisting the stems off the spinach. Azaylia blinks rapidly, not realizing her joke was that bad. She's probably still wondering if it's the poor delivery that has him so unsettled. "Ah, yes. I'd rather not climb with the snow. Sounds bad for your fingers, or difficult with gloves." She's listening with rapt attention, eyes bright once more as she beams, "A harness." So official. "I'll try and catch the candidate, certainly. See what he says." Once she's drained her glass with one last sip, "Although it's not my clutch, this time. Who knows how much sway I have over them." An easy joke, though her grin shrinks to a polite smile. Alida is given a tsk, "Keep it up and we'll play that game-- Z'riah's game?" An unfamiliar name, used as a threat against Ilicaeth's rider. "I think her name is Laine," X'vae tells the Weyrwoman, though he doesn't seem certain of it. "Making it isn't so much more difficult than making straps, but certainly we're more practiced with the latter." It's only then that he seems to realize, "I'm X'vae, by the way. Xev, if you like," offering the goldrider his hand. He glances toward Alida, "That'd be... a sight," he decides. The two women playing Z'riah's game. Alida dons a patently mock-pout for Azaylia's words to the female bluerider, the blonde then quieting to listen to her fellow judges *and* the occasional calls and more frequent pot and pan banging from the Kitchens. Mostly to herself is muttered, "Thirty minutes? Might starve in that time." Eyeroll. If she's at all 'upset' over the whole 'candidate/Igen' thing, she shows it not. Xev's words garner him a sideways smirk, and a low, "Typical male." Snert. Schuyler nods to Sparrow. "Part of it. I'm braising in it then will top it with fresh sauce at the end." he explains, spooning a small amount onto the fillet again. He peeks inside the cover of the third pot and a waft of steam comes out. He grins and puts the top back on. The grin on his face saying he seems quite pleased with his work. During the time his tunnel snake gumbo is boiling and simmering, Jastor whips up a pot of rice, and then kicks back to lean against the nearest wall and eyeball his competition. Are they even competition? Come on now. He's still looking much too self-assured for a handyman who's never cooked at this Weyr. "Oh! Laine. Yes, her." It's a miracle Azaylia remembers the now-candidate by name, rather than profession. Her hand slips into the bluerider's, firm but with nothing to prove, "Azaylia. Some call me Zay. I don't know if I could stand all those 'ma'ams' during a lesson." Her brows raise, curious in her momentary naivete, "Would it? I imagine Alida would knock me out if I tried." Phrasing, Weyrwoman. There's a glance over her shoulder for the competition, easing into a seat when there's a call for 'down in front'! "Ten minutes left, finish up and start plating!" Tara announces. Well. Sparrow TRIED to be nice to Jastor. He'll win or he won't, but the young Harper is enjoying herself. After the pan's had the time to deglaze, she slides the snake filets back in and lets them simmer. It looks like she and Schuyler have somewhat similar ideas, but they're going for very different flavor profiles. The rice has finally boiled, so she moves it to lower heat and covers it tightly. At the ten-minute mark, she slips the snake filets out of the sauce, pours the sauce into a gravy boat, and reserves just a little. Quickly she throws the spinach into the pan and covers it tightly as well. Just enough time to wilt it! Meanwhile, she slices the remaining lemon thinly. Might as well have a bit of garnish. Lemon makes a good garnish. Lemon is good with everything. Lemon. The look X'vae gives Alida is one that says he's trying to sort something out, but he looks back to the goldrider soon enough. "A sight, to be sure," he'll stand by that. "Not every day you see a goldrider tackling people, though I've seen it once or twice before." Not this goldrider, obviously. "I'll send you a note with my schedule for Snowdrift and you can let me know what works for yours, since I'm sure yours is more limited than mine." Well, that and she's the Senior Weyrwoman, so. "If you'll excuse me for now?" He seeks her blessing to go, one hand gesturing toward the bowl. Perhaps Izazeth needs him. Schuyler glances up when the ten minute warning is given. One more peek into the third pot and he pulls off the lid. A rainbow of lentils goes onto the plate he's serving from. Two halves of a plum, which has been steaming with the lentils, garnish each end with deep purple. The snake fillets are layed out in strips across the bed of lentils and the remaining sauces is spooned decoratively across them and in neat swirls along the edges of the plate. He adds a few sprigs of sage to the dish (the lentils and sauce carry notes of sage, thyme and rosemary) and he looks over his presentation making sure he hasn't forgotten anything. He makes one quick adjustment to his garnish and glances over to see how Sparrow's dish came out. Jastor gets a glance as well, hey, gumbo can be good, right? Whatever is on the tip of Azaylia's tongue stays there, clearing her throat as she simply nods at X'vae's experience with other goldriders. "That'd be lovely, thank you. I'll get in touch once I see an opening." Which isn't likely to be many, but surely the Weyrwoman can nudge things around. Her gaze follows his hand outward, and she gives a soft laugh, "Of course. I won't keep you." Not until she makes good on her prize, that is. "It was nice meeting you." "You'd be the quarterback, Zay. Fastest feet on a team...I think," Alida notes with a little easy humor to the goldrider. "I ain't got enough weight 'r height ta play...I think it's called 'linebacker' position, but..." Shrug, smirk. X'vae's look garners him a sudden, brilliant and rare flash of a massive grin full of even, white teeth, and a wiggling of brows before the woman listens to the latest 'garbage' floating out to her ears from the kitchen. Sparrow's made a sunburst. She has a bed of lovely rice, fluffy and white, and the filets of snake are arranged in a circle, their points touching in the middle. Little half-slices of lemon are arranged with them as garnish, and the green wilted spinach is nestled in a curve beneath. It's the sun over a grassy field, which is certainly an appealing thought in this weather. Plated, she carries it out to join the other completed dishes. Jastor doesn't need no fancy presentation! He throws some rice in a bowl and slops out a generous glob of gumbo on top. There, it's eatin' time. Schuyler, pleased with his presentation, falls in line with the other competitors as Tara counts down the last few seconds for the straglers left in the kitchen. Sky peers over at the great design Sparrow makes and grins. "You've got a flair for presentation." he says, though perhaps he includes Jastor in that comment in a more sarcastic kind of way. "Times Up!" Tara shouts. "Alright Judges, you're up! Come take a look and taste the results. Contestants if you would step aside for a few moments." Sky sets down his dish and snags another box from the buffet table. "The next door prize winner is number fourteen!" he calls out, just to keep people jumping. "Are you kidding? Yours is fantastic," Sparrow replies, leaning over and marveling at the lovely vibrant colors the plum made. She breathes in deeply of the scent of it, closing her eyes and nodding approvingly. "The wine and the plum," she murmurs. "Tha'ts going to be good." She blinks when they call out another number, but -- no, she double checks the number in her sleeve. Still seven. Keysi was not bored by any stretch of the imagination, but she does a good silent-creepy-observer when she wants to. Tonight, despite the excited energy of the competition and door prizes, is one of those nights. She hasn't really moved from her chair-perch. The healer is roused, however, by the movement coming from the kitchens and the announcement that time is up. Lifting her head, she has a tough time really 'bouncing' up, given what the meat of the dish itself is. "Uh.." The candidate takes a moment to process as the next winner is announced, and fishes in her pocket to pull the slip out.. Just to double check. "Aye, that's me." That, at least, does get her to stand.. and hold up the slip as if he wouldn't believe her. "You as well, ma'am," the word comes out as force of habit. "And I hope you're still enjoying your rosemaled box," X'vae tells her, flashing one of his more charming smiles before glancing again to Alida and then heading for the bowl, pulling his Monocoan styled riding jacket from one of the hooks as he goes. Gracefulness is not Jastor's forte. That sound, the clomp, clomp, clomp are his footsteps as he follows the other contestants to deliver plates to the judges. He's still wearing that smirk, as he tries not to trip or spill his precious plate on the person in front of him. Azaylia gives a little wave as X'vae retreats, laughing at Alida's break down. The the call for judges has her perking up with obvious interest. While the protein itself may seem iffy, the presentations more than make up for it. ...Well, some do. Jastor. Settling where she's needed as a judge, the Weyrwoman is eager to taste it all. Yes, even that one. Keysi's winning is given a polite clap and a soft call of congratulations, even before she hears what the prize is. All prizes are good, aren't they? Now *this* is the part she's truly been waiting for! Alida tries not to launch herself from her seat at the announcement of plating, forcing herself to look composed instead of hungry as she 'strolls' over along with Azaylia, with the loss of X'vae...and while keeping away from K'del. Rrrr. Each appealing-looking dish is given intensive scrutiny by merciless green eyes, a deep sniffing by nose...and a soft little gurgle of 'lida's still-protesting stomach. MOAR FUD! She's seen much worse than Jastor's presentation, and so there's not much negativity assigned to his gumbo, though her gaze *is* taken by the more artul presentations by the others. Schuyler grins at Keysi. "Hey! Great." he beams as he announces, "Keysi's prize is a sketch, subject of your choosing, donated by K'zin." he announces though his eyes scan over to the judges, anxious to see how they respond to his dish. He beams as it looks like Sparrow and he made two sides of the same meal, hers light and citrus-y, his dark with a plum-merlot sauce. "Hey great job, you ever think of joining us in the kitchens?" he asks her with a grin. The large handyman-turned-cook with the ruffled apron looks proud of his creation, even if its presentation leaves much to be desired. Jastor stands at attention, arrogantly looking down the line of contestants, and then grunting to show how unconcerned he is with them all! Sparrow can't help but look at least a bit pleased with herself. "I cooked for my family back at Pars Hold," she explains. "Oldest daughter, and I always liked it, and my parents were always busy with work. These are all the flavors that remind me of home," she adds, looking back down at the plate with pride. "...Except we usually didn't have tunnel snake. But I think the taste will work well. I hope it will." She does applaud politely at the next door prize, too. Is she nervous? She's nervous. Infamous appetite and all, Azaylia still takes her in sampling each dish. She goes back to Jastor's twice, and only the first time was there a twitch of something at the taste. Good or bad, it's hard to say. The Weyrwoman has never been a secretive sort, but the urge to be a firm and fair judge leaves her with little expression. "Hmm." Whatever she's decided, it has her giving a sudden grin as she eases back, aiming it at all of the contestants. Judging on that alone, they could have all won! The alert bluerider cannot help but overhear Sparrow's reference to her home Hold, Alida's gaze jerking up from the food to look her over quite forwardly while the Harper is chatting with Schuyler. It's with a little effort that she returns her attention to the meals presented to the judges, sampling each heartily, and finding them all to be delicious. She looks about as expressionless as a statue, even when she's settling back into her chair, decisions already in mind. Waiting. "'ey, not bad." Is both the healer's greeting and acceptance of the prize. "I'm not quite sure what to use it on. Perhaps I will have to hold him to that for awhile." Keysi notes lightly, the hint of excitement from claiming one of the few prizes having stirred her from her sleepy resolve. She does join the others amongst the artful, and less than artful, creations, stealing herself to at least try the food. It does smell good. At least it doesn't still look like what it came from. Sparrow's comments draw her first, and she takes her sampling from the harper's first. "A good story always makes it better." Schuyler gives another grin to Sparrow. "Gotta go run things." he grins and heads to the center of the room. "Attention Everyone! If the judges would please confir and decide on tonight's winners, we have a few more prizes to give away and then all the rest of you can sample all these amazing dishes. I know there's a few I'm dying to try!" he grins again. "Well, if a story makes it better," the Harper begins... and then Schuyler wisely cuts off all further chatter from her. Sparrow hides a smile behind her hand and steps away slightly, glancing over at the gumbo. Sniff. Sniff sniff. It... might be quite good. Maybe. Azaylia turns to the other judges, her whispery soprano only rising to hush the more excited opinions. Alida. A hush falls on the group, and the Weyrwoman stands up with a clap of her hands, "The judges have decided." She'll wait for the guesses and bets of the crowd to die down before she turns to smile. "For Iron Chef... Sparrow!" More clapping, soft but sincere as she beams at the harper apprentice. "As for best Entree Schuyle--" There's a murmur of correction from a judge, "Excuse me. Sky! He has also won best dessert, of which I personally would like to see more of." Flourless klah and rum infused cake. Yum! "And for best side, Jastor's surprising salad!" It could have been a happy accident, but who is Azaylia to judge? Jastor, of the winning tribe, looks decidedly crestfallen when he doesn't win the big title, though best side salad is certainly something. He gets surrounded by people clapping him on the back and wanting to congratulate him on his win, and thus, he disappears into the celebratory crowd, to do what apron-wearing handymen do best - probably get drunk and sing bawdy tunes. Until next time... The bluerider nods to Azaylia, then allows herself to grin a little at the goldrider's effective presentation of the various winners, her polite applause added in soon enough. Only once the Weyrwoman is completely done speaking does Alida actually speak up to note firmly, "We had a difficult time of it, given *everybody's* efforts were delicious. Thank you to all out cooks and chefs!" She won. She WON. Sparrow's jaw drops and her hands fly to her mouth. She's going to have to write to her mother. She's going to have to tell everyone. She looks very much like she might pass out, but when her hands drop from her mouth, she's grinning like a half-moon. Bounce. Bounce. Bounce. A hint of a grin starts, as the healer realizes too late what she tells a Harper. Or maybe it was intentional. Keysi, despite very tenderly, hesitantly trying each of the dishes, isn't put off by anything that she tries which says a lot for the cooks given her pickiness. As the weyrwoman announces the winners, Keys joins in the applause generously, "Agreed. Especially given the, uh, interesting main ingredient to work with." Mm, lemon. Schuyler cheers with the others as the winners are announced. "Hey! Great job Sparrow!" he calls to her, a giant grin plastered on his face. "If everyone could settle for just a moment..." he calls in a bold voice. "Sparrow, one of those bottles of Benden is yours." he grins at her and nods to the table. "The other bottle is mine for the Entree win, thank you judges, two of the remaining bottles are for the dessert and side wins." he grins. "The last bottle is for our judges. If you would look at the bottom of your pebble pouch there is a dot on the inside of one of them. If you have the dot, that bottle is yours!" glances out into the crowd. "And finally the last door prize of the night is a cooking lesson from yours truly, to lucky number seven!" Well. She's DEFINITELY not going to say no to that. Sparrow bounces (she is bouncing, she really is) over to the bottles and takes quite some time to select one for her prize. She's definitely going to save this for a special occasion. She takes enough time that she actually doesn't realize her //number// has been called too. Her head snaps up and she looks around, realization dawning with a grin. "Lucky indeed," she says, fishing out her little number. "I'd like to learn some new techniques." "Lucky bastiches..." Alida notes under her breath to the winners for their bottles of benden wine, the woman shaking her head wryly as she applauds some. Oh, hey! "Fer us, Zay..!" is noted a little eagerly, the bluie lightly nudging the goldrider. "What's say you 'n me hole up t'night with some cheese 'n crackers ' our portion uv the wine?" "You know, I actually don't think I have much room for cheese." Not that Azaylia sounds at all like she regrets it, voice lazy with her fullness. "Wine, however." She'll share the bottle with the other judges, no doubt. And if Alida is thirsty for more, well the Weyrwoman has her own private supply back at her weyr. No doubt the bluerider will be invited up for an extended visit of chatting and digestion. She's pretty full, herself, but Alida is willing to stuff herself to the gills, tonight, in pursuance of even more pleasure. "Yer on..." she murmurs to Azaylia, then allowing her poofed-in firelizard to land upon her shoulder for some pettings...and a leftover lick of the meat and juice upon her plate. Schuyler grins and picks the other bottle off the table, as well as one of the non-Benden bottles, since he won the dessert competition too. He's beaming at Sparrow when she seems happy with the prize. "Great! I bet you could teach me a thing or two as well. Now I have to try that dish you made it smelled amazing!" He tucks his bottles of wine under an arm and grabs a plate, ready to fill it up with a bit of everything. "OK folks, please eat and enjoy!" he grins over at Tara. "Looks like we have a bunch of great dishes to try!" Alida subtly attaches herself to Azaylia's side after she picks up her bottle of Benden wine, the bluerider looking inordinately pleased and stuffed. Watch out, Weyr: women getting shitfaced tonight! |
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